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Today's News

You know how on some mornings, it’s tough to roll out of bed and get ready for work? Imagine being awakened in the middle of the night, jumping out of bed, and getting dressed and ready to work in a matter of minutes.
Then, doing that time and time again, even in the dead of winter, for 37 years.
That’s the life that Merle Adermann led as a member of the Vandalia Volunteer Fire Department, with his last 19 years of service to the community being as the chief of the department.

OUR PLACE Youth Center, located at 507 W. Gallatin St., will have free popcorn and hot chocolate available during Olde Tyme Christmas in downtown Vandalia on Friday evening.
The center will also be selling hair feather accents as a fundraiser.

Northside Christian Church in Vandalia hosted a Veterans Day program last Friday.

Local veterans, including George Meseke (first photo), shared some of their military memories. The church pastor, the Rev. Carl Rhodes (second photo), who is a veteran, delivered a brief message during the program, which drew about 50 people.

• Matthew Rentfro, 31, Cowden, was arrested on Nov. 14 for failure to appear in court on a felony charge. Bond was $10,000.
• Charles E. Chrisman, 38, RR 2, Vandalia, was arrested on Nov. 14 on an alleged violation of an order of protection and violation of bail bond. No bond amount was listed.
• Robert E. Matthews, 24, 330 S. Fifth St., Vandalia, was arrested on Nov. 14 on a charge of domestic battery. No bond amount was listed.

When Ed Taylor Jr. recently stepped into the shoes of the retiring chief, Merle Adermann, the “fit” was not exact, but as Taylor had been first assistant chief for several years, he had an idea of what the “walk” in those shoes would be like.

Though the Vandalia Community School District scored only a 1 out of a possible 4 points for its long-term debt status, its other financial indicators were strong enough to give it an overall rating of 3.60 on a scale of 4.0.
That rating propelled the district into the “recognition” category, the highest level given by the Illinois State Board of Education, according to the district’s annual audit report, which was presented to the Vandalia Board of Education at its monthly meeting on Tuesday.